Next Steps How the Meetings and Incentives Industry Can Fight Trafficking
Michelle Guelbart, MSW Director of Private Sector Engagement, ECPAT-USA
Barbara Scofidio Editor, Prevue
So, what is Human Trafficking? TVPA: The recruitment, enticement, harboring, transportation, provision, obtaining, maintaining, advertising, or soliciting of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery. Umbrella term for activities involved when someone exercises coercive control over a person for the purpose of exploitation. Coercive Control--- force, threats of force, fraud, coercion Exploitation--- work, sex, organs, etc OR Under 18 + Commercial Sex Act = VICTIM There is no such thing as a child, minor, or teen prostitute.
Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct The Code 1. To establish a policy and procedures against sexual exploitation of children. 2. To train employees in children s rights, the prevention of sexual exploitation and how to report suspected cases. 3. To include a clause in contracts throughout the value chain stating a common repudiation and zero tolerance policy of sexual exploitation of children. 4. To provide information to travelers on children s rights, the prevention of sexual exploitation of children and how to report suspected cases. 5. To support, collaborate and engage stakeholders in the prevention of sexual exploitation of children. 6. To report annually on their implementation of Code related activities. www.thecode.org
With the growth of technology, traffickers are moving their business off the streets and onto the Internet. Prostitution vs trafficking Traffickers, buyers, and victims believe hotels are anonymous and low-risk. Not in my Hotel
AWARENESS/ VISIBILITY Policy Working with Planners Training employees RFP Join The Code
2004-2010
2014
TODAY
Associations GBTA Awareness Education Buyer Focused Upcoming Webinar ACTE Awareness Visibility
Signed THE CODE Established Steering Committee Holiday Donations to ECPAT-USA Conducting Know the Signs Seminars for Employees Supporting a local woman s shelter Partnering with ECPAT-USA and There Is Hope for Me Educating suppliers and partners through both internal and external speaking engagements Adding contract language to RFPs and supplier/partner agreements Maritz
SITE Signing of the Code signifies SITE s commitment to speak out against the sexual exploitation of women and children and the intention to leverage our influence in the industry to help victims become survivors. - Rhonda Brewer, SITE President 2015
SPiN Upcoming Webinar November 3 SPiN Con Oak Brook, IL Mid November
Corporate Travel Managers Corporate RFP Language
Meetings Standard in RFPs Corporate Employee Training Hosted Speakers Accessible Resources Improved Comfort Level Philanthropic Giving What We Envision Suppliers Increased Visibility Plaques in lobbies Standard Position Specific Training Informed Sales Departments & GMs True understanding of the issue
Get Involved in Fighting Trafficking Travel Buyers ü Are the companies you re contracting with involved? Put it in RFPS! ü Continue to build your knowledge about the issue: www.ecpatusa.org ü Find us on social media Travel Suppliers ü Discuss the issue with employees, are they seeing something? AH&LA EI has e-learning ü Sign the Tourism Child- Protection Code of Conduct ü Continue to build your knowledge about the issue: www.ecpatusa.org ü Find us on social media
Resources What I Have Been Through Is Not Who I Am AH&LA EI e-learning module www.ecpatusa.org/imex www.thecode.org RFP language Walking Prey: How America's Youth Are Vulnerable to Sex Slavery by Holly Austin Smith Contact: michelle@ecpatusa.org
The Travel Indicators HOTEL INDICATORS: In lobby Pay in cash one day at a time Disoriented/intoxicated/unclear about date or location Inconsistency in stories Inappropriately dressed for age or weather Carries little or no luggage Distrustful of security and does not speak freely Requests room with access to exits or adjoining rooms One person carries all identification and/or money Signs of physical or emotional abuse Room Escort various men into the room and lingers until they leave, watching the door A room with people coming and going at regular intervals (ex: on the hour, half hour) Late or unusual hours Loud noises/fighting/violence coming from room AIRLINE INDICATORS: Airport Victim not in control of travel documents/ identification Victim is unclear about departure and destination or inconsistent with trafficker Little or no luggage Avoids eye contact Distrustful of security and/or Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Physically or verbally led by trafficker Signs of physical abuse In-flight Trafficker does not let victim walk freely through cabin Trafficker speaks for victim Unclear of plans upon arrival but meeting someone for modeling, acting, or a love interest Victim in nervous, distrustful, not allowed, or discouraged from speaking with travelers or flight attendants
Event Gifts that Give Back ECPAT-USA Luggage Tags: Reclaiming the live is children while reclaiming your luggage. Insert includes the signs of human trafficking in travel and how to report your suspicions.
AH&LA EI Anti-Trafficking Training Info